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Why You May Get Locked Out of Your Auto Getting locked out of your car can be more than an inconvenience. It could also be a risk. There are several techniques to help you get into your vehicle without causing any damage. Keep an extra car key in your vehicle. This is the most basic method to prevent a lockout. 1. You're locked out of your car It is a risk to be locked out of your vehicle. You may be locked out for a variety of reasons, and it's important to understand the reasons. If you are aware of what to look for this will help avoid future issues. Modern vehicles are equipped with advanced security systems that can detect attempts to break into their security. This could be a blessing and a curse since you might not be able access your vehicle if your keys are locked in the car. This could happen if you're trying to balance your phone, coffee cup, and briefcase as you approach the door of the driver. The key fob can be triggered to close your doors if you attempt to open them. If you are in this situation it is recommended to contact a roadside assistance service instead of trying to use the tools you have at hand, such as a hanger or string to unlock your lock. A professional locksmith has the right tools to prevent damaging your vehicle, and they can often provide the fastest solution. Over time, rust, dirt and other impurities could build up inside your lock, which can cause it to become jammed. This is also the case when your door is damaged by an accident or other event. These circumstances could make your key fob or other security mechanisms useless, and you will be unable to enter your car. Some automakers offer a special download app that allows you to unlock your vehicle in the event of an emergency. GM provides this service as part of its OnStar subscription. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai provide similar apps. These tools are helpful, but they should only be employed as a last resort after all other options have been exhausted. 2. Lost Keys The loss of keys is among the most frequent reasons for getting locked out. It's easy for a driver to lose a key or leave it unattended when they're in a hurry or distracted. You can prevent this kind of lockout if you have an extra or backup key. If you have an extra key, be sure that it's kept in a safe place that only you or someone else you trust has access to. You can also keep a key finder on your keychain or in your car to locate your keys quickly and easily. These devices emit an alert to help you find your keys. You can also use a smartphone application that tracks the location of your car's keysfob. You might have lost your car keys because they were stolen. If this is the case, you should always make a police report, which will provide an evidence trail on paper and could aid your insurance company in providing compensation in the event of an incident of theft. Sometimes, your car's locks can become damaged due to natural wear and tear or rusting over time, making them difficult to open. This is particularly true for older models that require the user to insert a key manually into the lock. There are DIY methods to unlock your car such as using Slim Jims or coat hangers but they can cause damage to the door locks, leading to costly repairs. 3. Broken Keys Keys are designed to endure a lot of force, excessive use can cause wear and tear that eventually weakens the metal. This can result in broken pieces of keys that are stuck in your lock. You can remove them with some basic tools, or at least get rid of the remaining key without causing any damage to the lock mechanism. If a small portion of the key that was broken is protruding out of the lock, you'll be able to remove it using needle nose pliers. If the broken piece is lodged deep inside the lock it is likely that a flathead or a small tool is required. Be aware that the extraction process may require multiple attempts and patience. If you're impatient, you could accidentally push the broken key even further into the lock and cause even more damage. A more extreme home-grown method for removing broken keys is to use a small saw blade which can be bought at most hardware stores. This procedure must be carried out with great care and precision to avoid damaging the lock's cylinder. If other methods are unsuccessful, you might need to drill into the lock cylinder to pry it open. This isn't recommended unless you can do so from an area that is secure, such as gas station, restaurant or convenience store. If you must use this method, you need to find a place in which you can sit until the locksmith arrives. Avoid staying on a vacant parking lot, street or deck where you may be targeted by burglars. Request the locksmith to meet you in a secure location if you are able to. 4. open car door or transponder damaged Car key fobs, like any other electronic device, could fail over time. This can be a big problem for vehicle owners who no longer be able to start their vehicles or even open their doors. It is essential to contact a locksmith to help you troubleshoot this problem. If your key fob, or transponder does not turn your engine on, it is a indication that it's malfunctioning. This can occur for various reasons, including a dead battery or a malfunctioning key fob chip. To solve this issue problem, you can try replacing the batteries in your fob key. If this fails, you could have to visit an auto shop or dealership in your area to have the chip or key fob replaced. Another reason you might be experiencing an issue with your key fob could be due to physical damage. This can be caused by cracks or damage to the key shell, worn-out contactors, or any other cause that could affect the internal function of your key fob. It's important to have this repaired or replaced as soon as you can in order to avoid having it result in other issues with your vehicle. Locked out of your vehicle can be a frightening scenario, and it's crucial to take steps to prevent it from happening in the near future. Avoiding this problem can be achieved by creating routines that ensure that you have your keys when you leave your vehicle. It can also make it easier to get into your car by keeping a spare set in an accessible, secure location. Contact us to schedule an appointment with locksmiths if you've encountered any of these issues with your keys or locks. 5. You accidentally left your keys inside When you're rushing around, it's easy to leave keys in your car. If you get locked out of your car, keep calm and figure out how you ended up in this situation. You can avoid a repeat of the same scenario by recollecting the actions you took. It is recommended to keep an extra set of keys on hand to prevent locking them inside. This could mean stashing it somewhere you or someone you trust to access quickly, having a friend keep a spare key at their workplace or at home, or using a lockout kit. Some automakers offer services that allow you to unlock your car remotely. However, these typically require the purchase of a subscription. You can also call a roadside service, like AAA or the roadside assistance program of your automaker. Moody states that these assistance programs are often able to come to your aid at a cost of a flat fee. Some automakers, such as GM's OnStar service and Mercedes-Benz's Mbrace provide these programs free to owners. Contacting local authorities is an option if own a spare key, or have a roadside assistance plan. However, be sure to only contact emergency services when you or someone else is in danger. You may be fined or be subject to legal action if you misuse emergency services. It is also essential to assess the urgency of the situation prior to when you call for help in order to determine what solution is the most effective. To avoid being locked out of your vehicle in the future, make sure you check everything prior to getting back in and try to avoid hurrying when leaving your vehicle. This will ensure that you don't leave any doors or windows unlocked, and will help protect your car from harm during transportation should it need to be moved to a new destination.